Publications from ODSW Social Work Supervsion | Seite 66

Workshop 5: Harnessing Supervisees’ Feedback to Enhance Supervision Practice: Sharing on AWWA’s FSC’s Supervision Review Journey

sincere, genuine, open, trusting, attentive), supervisor’s skills (being a good listener, sharp,
easily picks up feelings) and supervisees’ sentiment that they are respected.
2. Functions of a Supervisor
Supervisors showed that they have different strengths in various supervision functions. As
managers, some supervisors were found to be detailed, and good at providing
administrative support, with areas of growth including being more organised and available.
They found that supervisors generally performed well in their role as an educator, and
supervisees appreciated that their supervisors would share their knowledge and theories as
well as their practice. Regarding their role as a mediator, supervisors were found to
advocate for the needs of the clients and staff, but supervisees felt that supervisors could
mediate more between the management and staff with regards to systems issues within
the agency. Finally as a supporter, positive characteristics were that they were caring, nonjudgemental and approachable. It was also noted that staff experience supervisors as
supportive towards clients’ financial needs.
3. Supervision Responsibility
Of those surveyed, supervisees felt that 60% of the responsibility lies with them.
4. What Supervisees Value about Supervision
Some aspects that supervisees were found to value included having a space for reflection,
personal growth, mutual learning and developing self-awareness. They also valued the
opportunity to shadow their supervisors during case sessions, the group support in group
supervision, the help in supporting clients to identify their issues, the help in working
towards a case plan, and the discussion of pertinent issues such as one’s values, boundaries
and ethical issues.
5. Behaviours and Qualities of a Supervisor
Behaviours appreciated by Supervisees include:
• Openness in sharing knowledge and answering queries
• Helping caseworker to reflect on his/her roles and values as a caseworker
• Giving pointers and providing guidance
• Openness to mutual learning
• Providing clear guidelines and directions regarding how to perform tasks
• Leading discussions and reflections on challenges and thoughts.
Qualities appreciated by Supervisees include:
• Encouraging
• Approachable
• Respectful
• Objective
• Non-judgemental
• Attentive
• Able to provide full presence during supervision
Some behaviours that were disliked by Supervisees include:
• Giving cases too early (when caseworker is not ready for a particular case)
• Being too overprotective over the case
• Being too quick to draw conclusions in case analysis
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